Is HTTPS hidden from ISP?

The Shadow Play: Can Your ISP Really See What You’re Doing Online, Even with HTTPS?

We’ve all heard whispers about the watchful eyes of our Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The thought of them knowing our browsing habits, our online purchases, and the content of our communications can feel unsettling. Fortunately, HTTPS exists, promising a layer of security and privacy in an increasingly monitored online world. But the crucial question remains: does HTTPS truly shield our activity from our ISP, or are they still privy to more information than we might think?

The short answer is a nuanced “yes and no.” While HTTPS offers significant protection, it doesn’t render you completely invisible. Let’s break down the intricacies of this digital shadow play.

HTTPS: The Mask of Encryption

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the foundation of secure online communication. Think of it as a heavily encrypted envelope that wraps your data as it travels between your computer and the website you’re visiting. Without HTTPS, your information would be sent in plain text, making it easy for anyone intercepting the data to read it.

Crucially, HTTPS encrypts the content of your communications. This means that while an ISP can see that you’re connecting to, say, your bank’s website, they can’t see the details of your account balance, the transactions you’re making, or the specifics of your login credentials. Similarly, they can see you’re using a web-based email service, but they can’t read the content of your emails.

What Your ISP Can See: The Outline of the Shadow

Despite the protection offered by HTTPS, your ISP can still glean certain information about your online activity:

• The Domain Name: This is perhaps the most significant piece of information your ISP can access. They can see the domain name of the website you’re visiting (e.g., example.com). While they don’t know which specific page on example.com you’re browsing, or what you’re doing there, knowing the domain itself can be revealing. Think of it like seeing someone enter a doctor’s office; you don’t know why they’re there, but you know they’re seeing a doctor.
• IP Address: Your ISP can see the IP address of the websites you’re connecting to. This is necessary for routing data. While an IP address alone might not be as informative as the domain name, it can be combined with other data to build a profile of your browsing habits.
• Timestamps and Data Volume: Your ISP can track when you visit certain websites and the amount of data you’re transferring. This information can be used to infer your online activity patterns. For example, frequent visits to a news website might suggest an interest in current events.
• DNS Queries: While HTTPS protects data after the connection is established, your ISP typically handles the initial DNS (Domain Name System) query that translates a domain name (like example.com) into an IP address. This means they can see which websites you’re trying to reach, even before the HTTPS connection is established. (However, techniques like DNS over HTTPS are gaining popularity to encrypt these queries.)

The Implications and What You Can Do

This knowledge of which websites you visit, even without knowing the details of your activity within them, can still be used for:

• Targeted Advertising: ISPs can use this information to build a profile of your interests and serve you targeted ads.
• Data Collection and Sale: In some jurisdictions, ISPs are allowed to collect and sell anonymized browsing data to third parties.
• Bandwidth Throttling: ISPs might throttle your bandwidth for certain types of traffic based on the domain names you’re visiting.
• Government Surveillance: In some countries, governments can compel ISPs to provide browsing data for surveillance purposes.

So, what can you do to further protect your privacy?

• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN encrypts all of your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a different location, masking your IP address and making it much harder for your ISP to track your activity.
• Use DNS over HTTPS (DoH): This encrypts your DNS queries, preventing your ISP from seeing which websites you’re trying to access.
• Consider a Privacy-Focused Browser: Some browsers have built-in privacy features like tracker blocking and VPN integration.
• Stay Informed: Understand your ISP’s privacy policies and your rights as a consumer.

In conclusion, HTTPS provides a vital layer of security, preventing your ISP from directly reading your emails or seeing your login credentials. However, it’s not a perfect shield. Your ISP can still glean valuable information from the domain names you visit and the volume of data you transfer. Understanding these limitations and employing additional privacy measures can significantly enhance your online anonymity and control over your personal data in the shadow play with your ISP.